Massachusetts state officials closed some beaches to the public on Sunday, June 8.
According to the Department of Public Health, there were three beaches closed in total, two of them due to an excess of bacteria.
One of these is the main beach of Walden Pond State Reserve to Concord, which will remain closed throughout the summer As a new bathroom of $ 6.1 million, of $ 6.1 million. The Red Cross beach in Walden Pond will remain open without lifeguards.
The other closed beaches are:
- Old Maid’s Park in Great Barrington due to bacterial overcoming
- North Pond Beach in Savoy because of bacterial overcoming
Why are the beaches closed?
Bacteria in beach water may come from various sources, including:
- Rainwater (rain)
- Fail or malfunctioning septic systems
- Combined and sanitary sewerage overflows
- Sewerage of filtration
- Illegal paste of sewer
- Wildlife and pet waste
- Agricultural runoff
In order to ensure that the beaches are safe for swimming, the DPH has tested the waters from daily to monthly, depending on the probability that the beach will have water quality problems and its popularity.
If a beach is often used or prone to water quality problems, they are more often tested and vice versa, DPH wrote.
The beaches are closed until the laboratory analysis shows that bacteria levels are within the acceptable range for safe swimming.
“Laboratory analysis for all beach samples takes about 24 hours,” according to the Department’s website. “So it is common for a beach closure to last one or two days after an overcoming.”
What are the risks?
Swimming in beach water with high levels of bacteria can be risky and can cause disease, including:
- Gastrointestinal symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain
- Respiratory symptoms: sore throat, cough, running nose and sneezing
- Dermatological symptoms: rash and itching
- Symptoms of eyes and ear: irritation, sore throat, itching
- Symptoms similar to flu: fever and chill
Therefore, it is important to see if there are beach notices or closures that indicate that water could be unsafe. To do it, check time, avoid swimming after heavy rain, look at the signs of water pollution such as discolored, fast fluid water and strong smell, do not swim near garbage or junk floating in the water, avoid swallowing water and swimming in designated areas as “ bathing beaches ”.
Although a beach could be published, the public can still visit the location and participate in other activities that do not involve contact with water. This can include anything from sports such as volleyball or frisbee to sunbathing or collecting sea shells or sea glass, said the DPH.
The public can also make their part to help reduce pollution and pollution on the beach:
- Cleaning after pets
- Do not feed the bird
- Using public baths
- Pick up and throw garbage with public baths or eliminate it properly at home
- Do not enter the water when you feel sick or do not feel bad
- Change diapers and put plastic or rubber pants, known as swimming diapers, in diapers before entering the water
- Without leaving anything on storm drains, as the water that moves through these drains is not treated in a wastewater installation and flows directly to lakes and streams
- Avoid the use of fertilizers and pesticides in gardens, as these chemicals can easily transport to the surface of the waters during rain and snow events
- Use walkways and avoid walking dunes to prevent erosion and preserve vegetation that filters pollutants of the runoff before reaching the beach
You can find more details of the DPH here.